Kim Kardashian has revealed that she has been diagnosed with esophagitis, a health scare that has brought back painful memories of her late father Robert Kardashian's battle with oesophageal cancer.
The SKIMS founder, 45, disclosed the diagnosis in the trailer for the upcoming eighth season of The Kardashians, which shows her discussing the condition while apparently receiving medical care.
'I have something called esophagitis,' Kim says in the trailer.
Kim Kardashian's Diagnosis Brings Back Memories of Her Father
The revelation takes on an emotional significance when someone off-camera asks Kim about her father, who died from oesophageal cancer in 2003.
'Didn't your father... isn't it what he died of?' the person asks.
'Yeah,' Kim replies.
The trailer then cuts to Kris Jenner, who appears visibly emotional as she reacts to the revelation about her former husband.
'I can't. It makes me want to cry,' Kris says.
Robert Kardashian Sr died on 30 September 2003, aged 59, after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. According to the Los Angeles Times, the prominent attorney was diagnosed just eight weeks before his death.
Robert was best known to the wider public as the father of Kim, Kourtney, Khloé and Rob Kardashian, as well as for his involvement in the O.J. Simpson trial. His death has remained a significant part of the Kardashian family's story, with his children continuing to honour his legacy years later.
What Is Esophagitis and How Is It Different From Cancer?
However, Kim's diagnosis of esophagitis does not mean she has been diagnosed with the same cancer that killed her father.
Esophagitis is inflammation or irritation of the oesophagus, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can have several causes, including acid reflux, infections, certain medications and allergies.
The condition can cause symptoms including difficulty or pain when swallowing and chest pain, although the trailer does not reveal what symptoms Kim experienced or what caused her diagnosis.
There is also no indication in the trailer that Kim has been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
Kim's Family Has Long Been Involved in Oesophageal Health
The connection to Robert is nevertheless particularly poignant given the family's long-standing involvement with oesophageal health.
In 2019, UCLA opened the Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health in his honour. The centre focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the oesophagus, including cancer and reflux-related conditions.
Kim has previously spoken about her family's involvement with the centre. During a 2024 event marking its fifth anniversary, she said she had referred friends there and credited the facility with helping save their lives.
Kim Kardashian breaks down in tears at hospital over medical diagnosis that’s the ‘same thing’ her dad Robert died from.
— Jannine.. #MagaMemeQueen ™️ 👑🇺🇸 (@janninereid1) September 17, 2026
https://t.co/te8sGDwEwB
Kim's latest revelation comes more than two decades after her father's death and appears to revisit a fear that has remained personal to the family.
The trailer does not disclose the severity of Kim's esophagitis, how long she had been experiencing symptoms or what treatment she received. It also does not indicate whether doctors found any other abnormalities.
While chronic inflammation of the oesophagus can sometimes be associated with complications, including Barrett's oesophagus in people with long-term acid reflux, esophagitis itself is not oesophageal cancer.
More details about Kim's health scare are expected to emerge when The Kardashians returns for its eighth season on 8 October.
